Chapter 3.11

Time was fast approaching midnight.  

Amid the soft music and the freely mingling guests engaged in conversation, Solnia sat with a habitual smile, lost in thought.  

It was strange.  

Things couldn’t possibly pass by this uneventfully.  

Judging by her grandmother’s personality, she wasn’t the type to openly question or test her. The Dowager was far too conscious of others’ scrutiny for that.  

But she was also not the kind of person to let things proceed so smoothly.  

Even the carefully orchestrated performance of their married life seemed pointless. Everyone merely observed them from a distance, without approaching them directly or asking probing questions. It felt like the calm before a storm.  

As for Luette Trovill, whatever he was thinking, he had danced with numerous ladies without breaking a sweat. Maintaining his perfect demeanor, he had briefly approached Solnia to inform her that he was stepping outside for some fresh air.  

Solnia, meanwhile, remained in place. Occasionally, she exchanged polite nods with passersby, engaged in brief conversations when someone inquired about her well-being, and occasionally sent admiring smiles toward her husband as he graciously guided young ladies.  

No one showed any suspicion toward the couple. No one asked any uncomfortable, pointed questions.  

At that moment, a small commotion arose as a line of children dressed in green entered the hall.  

Pinned to their chests were name tags that read “Greenroad Orphanage.” They were from the orphanage her grandmother had been supporting for years.  

As the music quieted, the eldest-looking child stepped forward and announced their congratulations on the Dowager Heston’s birthday.  

“We are deeply grateful for the Dowager’s boundless generosity in inviting us here.”  

It was a perfect display of charity. No noble would have thought to invite children from an orphanage they supported to such a party.  

As Solnia swallowed her disdain for her grandmother, the children began to sing a prepared song.  

“At last, it looks like this is coming to an end.”  

A low voice broke her thoughts, and she turned her head to find Luette had returned. His claim of stepping outside seemed true, as he carried a faint chill with him.  

“You made it back just in time.”  

“It’s time to leave.”  

Though he didn’t look at her as he spoke, his expression carried a hint of relief.  

Once the children’s song ended and midnight passed, the party would be over. All that remained was to return to Melfir and quietly wait for the divorce date.  

“Would it be better to leave as soon as the party ends?”  

“…….”  

“If it’s too much, leaving at dawn wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”  

But Solnia, unable to shake an inexplicable unease, bit her lip.  

As much as she hated to admit it, a bad feeling had been creeping over her since earlier, spreading through her entire body.  

Was it because of the children’s uneasy expressions, overwhelmed by the gazes of the extravagantly dressed nobles? Or was it because their melodious voices remained beautiful despite it all?  

Solnia’s gaze eventually settled on her grandmother, who was looking at the children with a loving expression.  

The Dowager Heston frequently placed a hand over her chest, silently marveling at the sight. It was an utterly hypocritical display.  

And yet, that very hypocrisy felt like a confirmation.  

That they wouldn’t be able to return to Melfir peacefully.  

When the children finished their song, gentle applause filled the hall. As the children filed out, Alec escorted the Dowager to the center of the room.  

Of course, the Dowager was spry enough to not need any assistance or a cane. It was hard to believe this party was to celebrate her seventieth birthday.  

Standing tall with her back straight and holding a cane in one hand, she surveyed the crowd.  

“I don’t know if I’ve ever received so many blessings and congratulations in my life. While everyone says I’ve spent my life giving, in truth, I’ve received far more than I’ve given. You are all my treasures.”  

Her warm smile accompanied these words, prompting the noblewomen to clasp their hands together as if on cue.  

The Dowager’s gaze swept across the room before settling on one spot.  

Solnia flinched as a hand suddenly wrapped around her waist.  

“Above all, having Solnia return to us after a year makes turning seventy something to be proud of.”  

The couple responded with silent smiles.  

“In fact, if you’d all allow me, I’d like to express my true wish.”  

Speaking with the bashfulness of a seventeen-year-old girl, the Dowager’s words drew applause from the crowd. Her gaze then shifted to a specific spot.  

“As you all know, I’ve turned seventy this year. My health is far from robust. This may very well be my last season.”  

Cries of “Don’t say such things!” and “Oh no, Madame, you must join us again next year!” echoed throughout the room.  

Luette, who had been scoffing at the remarks, suddenly noticed something strange about his wife, who was practically clinging to him.  

Her body was unnaturally stiff, and her complexion was alarmingly pale, as if she were holding her breath—like someone sinking deep into water.  

“Are you alri―”  

“Solnia.”  

Before Luette could finish his question, the Dowager called out.  

Her tender voice, as if addressing something precious, silenced the room.  

At that moment, Solnia’s trembling hand reached out to grasp the hem of Luette’s jacket, as if clinging to a lifeline.  

Luette, wondering why she was acting this way, was stunned by what he heard next.  

“Would you stay here and spend this season with me?”  

Her wrinkled yet sharp blue eyes glistened as if with tears. The Dowager, appearing as a frail old woman, earnestly pleaded with her granddaughter.  

“This might be my last season, and I wish to spend it with you.”  

All eyes turned to Solnia, awaiting her response as if she had just received a marriage proposal.  

Luette let out a bitter laugh.  

He had suspected as much, and he was right.  

The Dowager, utterly obsessed with her granddaughter, wanted to keep her close for even a moment longer. But to resort to such measures!  

“Make sure you answer wisely. I have no intention of staying in the capital.”  

Just as Luette was about to deliver a quiet warning with a smile still on his face, he noticed Solnia’s expression.  

Solnia, clutching his coat as if she would crush it, was barely managing a smile. Veins stood out on her slender neck.  

***

Dozens of eyes were fixed solely on her. At some point, Solnia realized she wasn’t breathing.  

“Will you stay by my side?”  

The Dowager, now looking sorrowful, asked the question.  

“If that’s not the case, is there some reason why you can’t stay here, my dear?”  

The situation was becoming increasingly dreadful. With each word from the Dowager, the expressions of the crowd shifted. When asked if there was a reason she couldn’t stay, the gazes toward the couple turned into ones of expectation.  

“I… I…”  

Solnia stammered, her breath hitching as she tried to form an answer. The more she struggled, the more the faces around her seemed to distort in grotesque ways.  

“Are you alright?”  

“…”  

Luette’s voice reached her, but Solnia’s gaze remained locked on the Dowager, who was waiting for her answer with a pitiful expression. Even that face seemed distorted and strange.  

‘Do not overdose. You must develop the habit of sleeping without medication.’

Echoed the worried voice of her doctor in her dizzying mind.  

“Solnia.”  

A firm voice called her name as a cold hand cupped her cheek.  

Turning her head slowly toward the touch, she was met with a familiar face.  

“Look at me. Are you alright?”  

“…”  

His sharp features, his clear, olive-colored eyes—those distinct olive eyes seemed to bring her back to life. Luette Trovill was the only one here with a clear face.  

“Dowager, I’m sorry, but my wife is not feeling well right now—”  

“No, it’s fine.”  

Regaining her composure, Solnia gently removed her husband’s hand from her cheek.  

Solnia tried to assess the situation as objectively as possible.  

No matter what excuse she gave here, leaving for Melfir was impossible.  

Even if they managed to leave, who could predict what would follow?  

Her grandmother had undoubtedly considered every possible scenario when setting this trap.  

Thus, there was only one answer she could give.  

“…Of course, Grandmother.”  

Staying here.  

Remaining in the capital, putting on a flawless act as a couple, ensuring the inheritance was secured without issue.  

And then getting divorced.  

Only then would this wretched life come to an end.  

“This is something I’ve been eagerly awaiting myself.”  

Am I smiling right now? 

Solnia wondered. She didn’t know. She was simply trying to smile, trying to speak without trembling.  

Finally, the faces around her began to look normal again. They smiled warmly, touched by the scene, as they gazed at the Dowager and Solnia. The Dowager opened her arms toward her.  

Letting go of her husband’s hand, which she had been gripping tightly until then, Solnia slowly approached the Dowager and embraced her. She felt like she might vomit.